First Shazam! in 20 years! - Panel to Panel

Shazam! - DC Comics

Before we get started, I just want to mention that there hasn’t been a new series of Shazam! set in the DC Universe in 20 years! The wait is over, and the new run is here! And boy it does not disappoint. The amazing talent of writer Geoff Johns and artist Dale Eaglesham come together to set this all new story in motion. Shazam addresses the hopes of becoming a superhero that a lot of us had when we were young. Here we have a kid that’s in the foster care system, with a horrible upbringing. Then, all of a sudden, he’s chosen to possess this amazing power.

While maintaining his normal day to day life as a kid, he is capable of changing into this behemoth of a man with incredible gifts. The whole “with great power comes great responsibility” trope has an interesting meaning when the person involved is a child with no mentor or idol to look up to. He must figure this all out on his own and even though it would be a blast to figure out what your powers are capable of, it has to be incredibly difficult to balance those two separate lives.

Shazam! - DC Comics

The first issue begins this new story arc in a quick, efficient manner as it introduces us to a brief origin story recap, and then thrusts us right into some action. Shazam is stopping some thieves who’ve decided that a museum is a great place to rob in the middle of the day, and then we are introduced to an entire group of powered kids. The banter is amazing, and the incredible writing of Geoff shines here as it is very apparent that each one of these heroes is a kid in an adult body.

As we move to the latter part of the issue, the questions begin to pile up as the kids are faced with a new space on the rock of eternity and a map that alludes to a much larger universe. At the same time, the foster parents, Rosa and Victor, are treated to a knock at the door by a Shazam look-a-like saying he’s Billy’s dad.

Shazam! - DC Comics

This issue was a flurry of activity and keeps you engaged the entire time. Trying to get to that next page as fast as possible. This is such a great set up for the rest of the series, and I encourage all readers to give this one a try. If you are just getting into comics, this one doesn’t require any previous knowledge to enjoy, even though knowing the universe in depth is always helpful. This series already looks like it’s going to fill in the gaps for you, all while taking you on this amazing journey.

The second issue sets up the whole series for something that I think most readers will enjoy greatly. If you have read the first issue and enjoyed it, this second book will bring your excitement level up a few notches.